Why rookie Tyler Shough may have best chance of winning Saints QB competition

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr retired on Saturday because of a right shoulder injury, prompting a competition between rookie Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

Shough — the 40th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft — plans to seize his opportunity. 

"That's all you can ask for any opportunity, at any position," Shough told the media at rookie minicamp on Saturday. "And I'm going to treat it the same way, as if whoever is on the roster. I've got to continue to grow and get better and do my best to elevate the QB room and the team."

Expect the 6-foot-5, 219-pounder to win the competition, as Rattler and Haener have shown little upside. During his rookie season in 2024, Rattler went 0-6 in six starts. Haener, meanwhile, posted a below-average 14.4 QBR in eight games last season. 

More importantly, the former Louisville star impressed new Saints head coach Kellen Moore at rookie minicamp. 

"Tyler hopped in here and did an excellent job," Moore said in a Saturday news conference. 

Unsurprisingly, Shough seems more prepared than the typical rookie. He turns 26 on Sept. 28 and played 42 games in seven seasons at Texas Tech, Oregon and Louisville. 

"That Shough enters the league so much older than the average rookie implies some level of pro-readiness, which is good news for a Saints team in desperate need of a starter," wrote ESPN's Ben Solak in a story published Sunday. 

However, Shough's durability could be a concern. During his college career, he broke his collarbone twice and fractured his left fibula.

When he was healthy, Shough produced decent numbers. In 12 starts in 2024, he threw for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdown passes.

Shough may not be an elite prospect, but rolling with him may be the Saints' best option unless they sign a free-agent QB (Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater).